The Writer, Producers & Director

Rodney, a multi-talented S.F. native began performing in the mid-sixties as local talent with a variety of vocal groups.  In the mid-seventies Rodney became a member of "Talk of Da Town", an Accapella group that over the years has become world renowned and travels to Europe for Italy's Christmas Gospel Tour.  In 1999, he also joined the Natural Four where he met Jeffrey Bashir, and soon after became a founding member of The Best Intentions, the featured musical entertainment in "Diva".  Rodney has continued to sharpen his theatrical skills as a stage actor, accomplished playwright and producer, performing in numerous bay area productions, and in 2005 realized his lifelong dream as he put pen to paper and wrote "Diva On Tour".  Rodney, along with his wife, Kay Ellison-James co-produced and premiered "Diva" in May 2006.  Rodney’s second play “No! Not My Son”   premiered successfully in November of 2008!

He was blessed to have been put into cultural and performing arts at an early age. Though it was uncomfortable in the beginning, his training in acting, African drumming, tap dance and acrobatics instilled a sense of confidence and fulfillment which helped set the course of his life’s journey. That journey has been filled with the adventure, excitement, splendor, and occasionally the heart break that accompanies the performance. “If I feel nothing from the material, or from my own performance, then the audience will feel nothing. I learned, as many true artists know, that true art seeks to awaken the human spirit. It is with this in mind that I approach every script, every directorial project and every performance”.